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Below is a family biography included in The History of Laclede County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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M. W. Gustin, editor of the Graphic, was born in Branch County, Mich., October 12, 1843, and is the son of Jonathan F. and Lydia E. (Bennett) Gustin, natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. The father immigrated to New York, locating in Genesee Valley, but removed from there to Branch County, Mich., and from there to Elkhart County, Ind., where he remained until 1859, when he removed to Laclede County, Mo., locating in Gasconade Township; there he purchased a farm and entered some land. He now lives in Osage Township, where he is engaged in farming. They are the parents of four children living: S. P., Esther A., wife of K. Gooderich, M. D., and M. W. The last named was reared principally in Indiana. He was brought up on the farm, and followed agricultural pursuits until the breaking out of the war, when in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Sixth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and served until August 20, 1864, when he was discharged at St. Louis. He participated in the battles of Monday Hill, Elkhorn and all the campaigns of Southwest Missouri. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, second assault at Jackson, and was in the expedition that tore up the New Orleans Railroad. He was in the Red River expedition, where his regiment lost all its quartermaster’s and commissary stores, and was in the advance guard, when the assault was made. He served on detached duty most of his time, and after being discharged returned to his home. He was deputy marshal at Rolla for some time, and then engaged in the real estate business in Lebanon, which he carried on for some time. He embarked in the newspaper business in 1869 at Lebanon, removing to Richland, in Pulaski County, and then to Tuscumbia, in Miller County, in the campaign of 1870. After selling out there he re-engaged and was in the newspaper work at Hartville, in Wright County. In 1876 he engaged in farming in Pulaski County, which he carried on until 1878, when he was appointed postmaster at Richland, and held this position until January 26, 1885. In January, 1887, he came to Lebanon and purchased the Graphic, which he has since published. He was married in October, 1870, to Miss Sallie E. Manes, of Pulaski County, by whom he has three children: Jessie D., born August 7, 1871; Sempronious B., born November 17, 1873, and Myrtie C, born April 4, 1878. One deceased, Bertha E., was born December 4, 1883. Mr. Gustin is a member of the G. A. R., and has never applied for a pension.

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This family biography is one of 99 biographies included in The History of Laclede County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Laclede County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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